#24 DePaul Returns to Win Column

PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Felicia Chester sparked DePaul with 13 points off the bench as the Blue Demons ended their brief two-game losing streak with a 66-55 win at Providence. Caprice Smith led DePaul with 15 points while Allie Quigley chipped in 11.

The Blue Demons started slowly with the Friars taking a six-point lead midway through the first half. Over the next five minutes, DePaul answered and erased the six-point deficit and built its own lead capped by a three-point play by Chester for a 35-28 score.

DePaul (12-3, 1-1 BIG EAST) took a 42-37 lead at halftime and opened up a nine-point advantage at 48-39 when Smith knocked down a pair of free throws early in the second half. The Blue Demons maintained at least a five-point lead throughout the second half and led by as many as 13 points. A Natasha Williams jumper in the paint gave the Blue Demons a 62-49 advantage with just over four minutes remaining in the game.

Chester scored a career-high 13 points while also registering a career-high 32 minutes of action. Smith added six rebounds while Quigley led the Blue Demons with eight rebounds and eight assists. Ciara Johnson also totaled eight points in nine minutes off the bench for DePaul.

Providence (10-5, 0-2 BIG EAST) was led by 20 points from Mi-Khida Hankins. She was followed by Kendria Holmes with 11 points.

DePaul returns to McGrath Arena on Tuesday night for a BIG EAST game against St. John’s. Tipoff is set for 7 p.m. in Lincoln Park.

Game Notes: Allie Quigley moved into sole possession of fifth on the all-time scoring list... she also extended her streak to 25 straight games scoring in double-figures... DePaul is now 12-0 when leading at the half and 5-0 on the road... the 66 points scored are the fewest in a game this season... DePaul now leads the series, 4-2... the Blue Demons have claimed all three BIG EAST meetings between the two programs.

Box Score